Alec Ogletree | Linebacker | #52

6/13/2013: Signed a four-year, $7.03 million contract. The deal is fully guaranteed, including a $3.492 million signing bonus and each of Ogletree's first three base salaries. 2016: $675,000 (+ $344,319 roster bonus due in March + $344,319 reporting bonus), 2017: Club Option, 2018: Free Agent

Latest News

Recent News

Rams MLB Alec Ogletree said he is trying to be a more vocal leader this season.

Ogletree is transitioning to the middle after playing on the weak side his entire career. "I've embraced that role, just trying to step up my leadership and make sure I'm doing the right thing so I can relay the message to the other guys," Ogletree said. "It's a little bit different, but at the same time it's still good." Ogletree should be an upgrade over James Laurinaitis, but the Rams still have questions to answer in their linebacking group. Sep 6 - 10:14 AM

The Rams have exercised MLB Alec Ogletree's fifth-year team option for 2017.

It was never in doubt. A born playmaker, Ogletree was sorely missed as he sat out the final 12 games of last season with a broken leg. Still only 24, Ogletree is making the move from the outside to the middle this season. He's a candidate for a long-term extension. May 2 - 2:29 PM

It is a no-brainer move. The No. 30 overall pick in 2013 draft, Ogletree was already an indispensable playmaker on the weak side, but he could prove even more important as he switches to the middle. The Rams also could utilize the fifth-year option on Tavon Austin, who was taken with the No. 8 overall pick in 2013, but it is unlikely they are willing to shell out that kind of money for what amounts to a gadget player. Mar 29 - 12:19 PM

Rams LB Alec Ogletree said moving to the middle will be the "biggest challenge" of his career.

Ogletree played on the weak side his first three years in the league, but he will man the middle after James Laurinaitis was released prior to free agency. "It's going to be a great challenge for me," Ogletree said. "I'm definitely excited about it and ready to get the ball rolling." Ogletree has 271 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 36 career games. He should be a big improvement over Laurinaitis. Mar 28 - 12:10 PM

Player News

The Rams have exercised MLB Alec Ogletree's fifth-year team option for 2017.

It was never in doubt. A born playmaker, Ogletree was sorely missed as he sat out the final 12 games of last season with a broken leg. Still only 24, Ogletree is making the move from the outside to the middle this season. He's a candidate for a long-term extension.

It is a no-brainer move. The No. 30 overall pick in 2013 draft, Ogletree was already an indispensable playmaker on the weak side, but he could prove even more important as he switches to the middle. The Rams also could utilize the fifth-year option on Tavon Austin, who was taken with the No. 8 overall pick in 2013, but it is unlikely they are willing to shell out that kind of money for what amounts to a gadget player.

Rams LB Alec Ogletree said moving to the middle will be the "biggest challenge" of his career.

Ogletree played on the weak side his first three years in the league, but he will man the middle after James Laurinaitis was released prior to free agency. "It's going to be a great challenge for me," Ogletree said. "I'm definitely excited about it and ready to get the ball rolling." Ogletree has 271 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 36 career games. He should be a big improvement over Laurinaitis.

Ogletree has been sidelined since the first week of October. 2016 will be Ogletree's first foray into the middle after manning the weak side in 2013-14, but coach Jeff Fisher is confident he can make the transition. "Alec is going to get people lined up," Fisher said. "He's going to call the plays. He's a really smart player." Ogletree admits it will be a challenge, while reporter Nick Wagoner wonders if Ogletree will be able to "take on and get off blocks" since he relies so much on his athleticism. We'd ultimately expect Ogletree to be a major improvement on James Laurinaitis.

The Rams' newly christened middle linebacker is a born playmaker whose presence was sorely missed after Ogletree broke his leg last season, especially showing up in tight end coverage. Going on 25, Ogletree is due little over $1 million between salary and bonuses in the final year of his rookie contract.

After the Rams announced the release of MLB James Laurinaitis, Ogletree has been working with DC Gregg Williams on a daily basis in preparation for the transition from the weak side. Ogletree will bark out the defensive calls and should bring far more playmaking ability to the middle after Laurinaitis laughably managed just two career forced fumbles across 112 starts.

The Rams plan to re-sign Mark Barron to play the weak side. Moving Ogletree inside should improve a run defense that ranked in the bottom half of the league. Ogletree averaged 10-plus tackles per game before going down last year.

The Rams are still hoping he'll return before the end of the season. Ogletree hasn't played since breaking his fibula against the Cardinals in Week 4. Mark Barron has been starting in his place at weak side linebacker.

Ogletree has been out since Week 4. He’s eligible to return next week, but the Rams don’t plan to activate him until the regular-season finale. Ogletree was averaging 10-plus tackles per game before going down. He’ll be fully healthy for the offseason if he doesn’t return.

S Christian Bryant was signed in a corresponding roster move. The Rams gauged Ogletree's recovery for three weeks after undergoing surgery, but determined he couldn't beat an I.R./return timeline. The rangy outside linebacker will be ineligible to return before Week 16. Former safety Mark Barron is filling in on the weak side during Ogletree's absence.

Rams WLB Alec Ogletree will need surgery on his fractured ankle and fibula.

The operation suggests Ogletree suffered a fracture, as did coach Jeff Fisher's comments following Sunday's win over Arizona. Fisher said Ogletree might be a candidate for injured reserve/designated for return. Ogletree is a big part of the Rams' run and pass defense as a highly athletic, long-armed coverage maven who also fills with speed against opposing rushing attacks.

Ogletree was credited with 117 tackles and six forced fumbles last year, but had just 1.5 sacks. The Rams will have a more attacking-style defense under Williams, which should translate into more sack opportunities and TFLs. Ogletree showed big-play ability as a rookie and has breakout appeal in IDP leagues. He posted double-digit tackles in 10 games last season and will return in a three-down role next to James Laurinaitis.

Rams LT Rodger Saffold left Sunday's Week 12 game against the Saints with a hand injury and will not return.

He drew the start at left tackle in place of Greg Robinson, who was benched by coach Jeff Fisher. Saffold's X-rays came back negative but he'll get the rest of the day off. Andrew Donnal is now in at left tackle.